Influence of the tissue microenvironment on Toll-like receptor expression by CD11c+ antigen-presenting cells isolated from mucosal tissues

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2009 Nov;16(11):1615-23. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00216-09. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

Abstract

It is recognized that functional activities of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in mucosal tissue sites differ from those of systemic APCs; however, it is unknown whether there are further differences between APC populations residing in different mucosal sites. In this study, we directly compared murine CD11c+ APCs isolated from colon, lung, and spleen and found that APCs isolated from these tissues differ considerably in Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression and responses to in vitro TLR ligand stimulation. We also provide evidence that tissue microenvironments dictate distinct patterns of TLR expression by CD11c+ APCs in different mucosal tissues. Moreover, CD11c+ cells isolated from different tissues have varied capacities to induce the development of T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, or regulatory CD4+ T cells. Thus, unique tissue microenvironments have a significant influence on determining TLR expression by CD11c+ cells that migrate to and reside in each mucosal tissue and are likely to modulate their functional activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / chemistry*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • CD11c Antigen / analysis*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Colon / immunology
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Lung / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • CD11c Antigen
  • Toll-Like Receptors